Metta, 35, had taken several of the younger Lakers under his wing this summer:

The team waived guard Jabari Brown to make room for World Peace, 35, who has completed a journey back to the Lakers after stints with the New York Knicks, Chinese Basketball Association and Italian league.

World Peace’s return to the Lakers includes a long-term plan to transition into an assistant coach for the franchise, league sources said. He has been a mentor for several young Lakers players, including 2014 No. 7 overall pick Julius Randle.

The Lakers released World Peace after the 2012-13 season using the amnesty clause. […] World Peace has averaged 13.7 points and 4.7 rebounds in 15 NBA seasons with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Houston Rockets, Lakers and New York Knicks.